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Demolition Plan OK’d in Southern Ohio Uranium Plant Cleanup
By: Associated Press
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PIKETON, Ohio (AP) – State and federal agencies have agreed on a plan for demolishing huge buildings and other facilities from a Cold War-era uranium plant in southern Ohio.
The U.S. Department of Energy says the plan for the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon is a milestone in the lengthy decontamination and decommissioning process.
The plant was built in the 1950s and produced enriched uranium for defense and commercial uses until 2001. Its shutdown left old buildings, chemicals and radioactive areas that must be addressed.
The Energy Department office overseeing that work says the structures slated for demolition include the three process buildings, each with more than 30 acres under one roof.
The cleanup plans allow for recycling of equipment and building materials if that can be done in a safe, cost-effective way.